Musical documentary shows –the ugly face of racism
Beautiful negro spirituals alongside stories of a powerful revolution in the south were the makings of "Soundtrack for a Revolution".
The documentary tells the story of the American civil rights movement through touching interviews with men and women who protested alongside Martin Luther King.
It shows footage of protesters on the picket lines, Police beating them and multiple homes being bombed.
The film takes the viewer back to a time, only 40 years or so ago, where blacks were hated by many whites, especially in the deep south of America.
It features new performances of the freedom songs by artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots.
Interviewees include Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
Negro spirituals allowed the protesters to say what they couldn't say to the men and women who oppressed them.
'Wade in the Water', 'We Shall Overcome' and 'Freedom' were songs that lifted the spirits of these men and women throughout the years of struggle.
The story of Dr. King and his cause for equality came alive in this documentary where footage of his speeches were intertwined with protesters singing about their troubles.
While singing kept their spirits high, viewers will see the ugly side of the revolution from beatings of women and children to school boys being sprayed with fire hoses to stop them protesting.
Bombings of houses and lynch mobs took it a step further and reminded me of a time I could have never lived in.
One man in the documentary said every time the groups went out to protest, knowing they could die was always in the back of their minds.
He also said protesting meant willingness to be arrested and taken to jail for the cause.
Not only have the directors and producers done an amazing job of pulling together this important story, the quality of the documentary is amazing.
The story will never get old and this is something that both young and old should watch not only for educational purposes, but to see what America was like just a few decades ago.
And it's sad to think that so many of these racists are still alive. This documentary truly showed the ugly face of racism.
'Soundtrack for a Revolution' at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute tomorrow at 7 p.m.